System and methods to prevent unauthorized usage of card readers

ABSTRACT

A contactless card reader comprises a contactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. A communications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensors is coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. The processor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizes the parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. The result of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader. The communications module is configured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration data from external sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/394,213, filed on Apr. 25, 2019, entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS TOPREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USAGE OF CARD READERS, now U.S. Pat. No.10,832,252, issued on Nov. 10, 2020, which is a Continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/046,573, filed on Jul. 26, 2018, entitledSYSTEM AND METHODS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USAGE OF CARD READERS, issuedon Jun. 11, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,318,959, which is a Continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/343,917, filed on Nov. 4, 2016,entitled SYSTEM AND METHODS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USAGE OF CARDREADERS, issued on Aug. 21, 2018, as U.S. Pat. No. 10,055,738, thespecifications of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the secure use of contactless cardreaders. In particular, it relates to the use of determining when a cardreader is used in a fraudulent manner.

BACKGROUND

There exists a number of short-range wireless technologies tocommunicate between electronic devices such as smart tags and paymentcards. Example of this type of wireless technology include touchlessprotocols such as RFID and NFC (Near Field Communication). There are anumber of common applications known in the art such as bank cards,stored value cards, loyalty cards, and access cards. These cards oftencontain valuable and sensitive data which needs to be protected fromunauthorized access. It is important to protect the privacy of the dataand to ensure its authenticity and integrity.

Though there are obvious advantages of using a touchless card to makepayments there are drawbacks as well. Inherent in the wireless nature ofthe technology is that it is much easier to access the card or toeavesdrop on data being transferred between a card and a card readerwhen compared to other technology that requires a direct connectionbetween the card and the reader. Due to the fact that a card reader canread the card data without touching the card, unauthorized accessing oreavesdropping of card data transfers may occur without the user beingaware of the unauthorized card reading operation.

A number of solutions to this problem that have been proposed. Some arebased on improving security in the card while others concentrate onimproving security in the card reader. A card reader can require themanual input of an authorization code or password at power up or at apredefined interval. Other systems detect when a card has been removedfrom the proximity of a reader and automatically stop any data transferoperations. Other security measures require the card holder toauthenticate using an emulated card or e-wallet application on a mobiledevice that asks for a user password or biometric authentication beforeallowing access. These existing solutions are all cumbersome and detractfrom the simplicity of using touchless card technology. Furthermore,most existing solutions focus on increasing the reader side security.There exists a need for technology that supplements and complementssecurity features in the card, emulated card, or wallet by increasingsecurity in the card reader. Solutions should decrease the risk of datatheft while preserving the ease-of-use of the NFC and other touchlesscard and wireless technology.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention a card reader comprises acontactless card reader front-end coupled to a processor. Acommunications module is coupled to the processor and a set of sensorsis coupled to the processor. The set of sensors determines parametersrelated to the location, orientation and motion of the card reader. Theprocessor receives the parameters from the set of sensors and utilizesthe parameters and scenario configuration data to evaluate a rule. Theresult of the evaluation of the rule results in a limitation on theoperation of the card reader.

In some embodiments of the invention the communications module isconfigured to intermittently receive the scenario configuration datafrom external sources. The communications module may be configured totether an external device to the card reader. The external devicecomprises a second set of sensors. The second set of sensors determinesparameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the cardreader. The processor receives the second set of parameters through thecommunications module.

The card reader may be installed in a location and the rule may compriseparameters related to the location and movement of the location. Thecard reader may be fixed to a location. The card reader may be mobilewithin a location. The card reader may be a handheld device.

Another exemplary embodiment of the comprises a method of operating acard reader in a location. The method comprises installing the cardreader in the location. The installation comprises classifying amobility of the location and classifying a portability of the cardreader. The card reader is configured with a scenario associated withthe mobility of the location and the portability of the card reader.Parameters are read from a set of sensors located within the cardreader. The parameters are related to the location, orientation andmotion of the card reader. The parameters are evaluated to evaluate arule. The rule is based on the scenario. The result of the evaluation ofthe rule results in a limitation on the operation of the card reader.

In some embodiments of the invention the configuration of the cardreader comprises accessing the card reader through a communicationsmodule integrated with the card reader.

In other embodiments of the invention the method further comprisestethering an external device to the card reader. The external devicecomprises a second set of sensors. The second set of sensors determinesparameters related to the location, orientation and motion of the cardreader. The card reader receives the second set of parameters throughthe communications module. The card reader is installed in a locationand the rule comprises parameters related to the location and movementof the location.

The method may apply when the card reader is fixed to a location. Themethod may apply when the card reader is mobile within a location. Themethod may apply when the card reader is a handheld device.

The foregoing and additional aspects and embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art inview of the detailed description of various embodiments and/or aspects,which is made with reference to the drawings, herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingDrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a card reader with a non-persistent connection toa backend host;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a card reader tethered to another device;

FIG. 3 is a table illustrating examples for various locations andmobility options of a card reader;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate rules for given combinations of readermotion and installation motion for a large set of sensors; and

FIG. 5 illustrates rules for given combinations of reader motion andinstallation motion for a limited set of sensors.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments or implementations have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thedisclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternativesfalling within the spirit and scope of an invention as defined by theappended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example contactless card reader, using hardware and softwarecompatible with the NFC or RFIC standards, is shown in FIG. 1. The cardreader 101 comprises a number of electronic components such as aprocessor 104, an NFC reader front-end 103, a communication module 102,and a number of sensors 105. The processor 104 includes a CPU, volatilememory, and non-volatile memory as is known in the art. Non-volatilememory stores software or firmware to operate the device and may alsostore parameters, settings, and data tables to be preserved across powercycles. Examples of non-volatile memory include semiconductor ROM chips,flash memory cards, solid-state disks, and hard disks. Volatile memoryis used to store program code for execution and variables used duringprogram execution. The most common example of volatile memory issemiconductor RAM.

The NFC reader front-end 103 contains the analog and digital wirelesscircuitry to implement the NFC wireless protocol and to connect andcommunicate with the processor. The NFC reader front-end 103 can also beany other type of wireless, short-range wireless standard including RFIDand Bluetooth. In some applications, the NFC reader front-end 103 can beconfigured by the processor 104.

The communications module 102 interfaces with a backend host 107 usingany number of wired or wireless protocols. Wired protocols includeEthernet, USB, and serial ports. Wireless protocols include 802.11 andcellular phone technologies such as 3G or LTE. The backend host 107 canbe used to monitor and configure the reader 101 and can be a computer,laptop, or other suitable device. The card reader 101 as per anexemplary embodiment of the invention includes a number of sensors 105that may include a GPS, beacon receivers, altimeters, orientation orincline sensors, a compass, accelerometer and gyroscopes. A beaconsignal is any signal that the card reader can identify and help the cardreader to know it is near a particular spot. Examples of beacons are adedicated transmitter that transmits a special data packet, a Wi-Firouter with a particular MAC address, and a cellular base station.Though the beacon is typically placed in a location, the card readerrequires a receiver to detect the signal emitted by the beacon.Accelerometers may read 2 or 3 axis of motion and can therefore alsofunction to indicate the orientation and incline of the card reader.

Sensors 105 can be used to detect the location and orientation of thecard reader 101 as well as the speed, direction, and acceleration ofmovement of the card reader 101. The processor 104 interfaces withsensors 105 in order to monitor and collect readings. Sensor readingsare analyzed to evaluate the likelihood of unintended, out of bounds, orfraudulent usage of the card reader.

Finally, the reader 101 will include any necessary antennas andfront-end system 103 for reading cards by a variety of means includingswiping, tapping, or inserting the card in a slot.

Again referring to FIG. 1, the communication module 102, backend host107, and wired or wireless channel 106 is shown in a dashed line. Thisis to reflect the fact that these elements of the card reader 101 andcard reader system may be on-line or off-line.

Configuration and transaction records may be loaded or unloaded in realtime or in batches. Either the card reader 101 or the backend host 107can determine when the communications elements go on-line or off-line.In on-line systems, analysis and decision making may be done by thebackend host 107 or the card reader 101. In off-line systems, the cardreader 101 will perform any required analysis, rule evaluation, anddecision making.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the invention where the card reader101 can be connected to another device 108 to make use of capabilitiesof the other device 108. The other device 108 may be a handheld, mobiledevice such as a mobile handset. In this configuration the card reader101 can make use of sensors 111 in the other device 108. The card reader101 may also make use of the processing power 110 of the other device.If the other device 108 is not secure, the reader 101 will only make useof the other device's sensors 111 in ways that do not compromiseanalyses used to make security related decisions. For example, a GPSlocation sensor and an altimeter can be used if wired connection orshort-range wireless connection is made, because the two devices'locations are expected to be quite close, however, an accelerometer andgyroscope are unlikely to be used unless it is some way to make surethere is no relative movement between the two devices. Either thebackend host 107 of FIG. 1 or the other device 108 of FIG. 2 can be usedto augment or replace the processing power of the card reader 101 foranalysis of data and results, or decision making.

In use, the card reader 101 is first installed in its location and thenauthenticated with itself or over a network. Installation can be donethrough a user interface on the card reader 101, through an attacheddevice 108, or through the backend host 107 accessed over the network106. During the installation the card reader 101 is configured withinformation concerning its location, orientation, expected motioncharacteristics, and other parameters. Location information may includeknown GPS coordinates, altitude, and data concerning a nearby beacon.Orientation may include the direction the card reader 101 is facing andthe inclination of the card reader. Motion may include whether the cardreader 101 is expected to move, or if it does move, how fast and far itis expected to move. Similar configuration may also be done with respectto the location of the card reader 101. For example, a fixed store isnot expected to move, a train may move at a moderate pace, while anaircraft will accelerate quickly and move much more quickly. A range ofacceptable values may also be programed for sensor readings. Forexample, an installation in a train may not be expected to have avelocity over 150 km/h. A card reader 101 in a store may not be expectedto be further than 20 m from a beacon. A card reader fixed in place maynot be expected to have a difference in inclination more than plus orminus 5 degrees.

Authentication may include verifying the identity of the user, merchant,or location. Authentication may also include logging into a network,attaching a dongle, USB device, or external device, and authenticatingwith a payment processor. Authentication and re-configuration may berepeated under a variety of conditions, examples of which are givenbelow.

A number of scenarios of the real world usage according to embodimentsof the invention are shown in FIG. 3. A card reader 101 is classified by“mobility”, that is whether the location it is used in is in motion oris static relative to the earth. For a card reader “static” means thereader location is not in motion relative to earth during card reading,whereas “motion” means the reader location is expected to be in motionrelative to earth during card reading. Examples of a card readerlocation that is static is in a fixed location such as a store.Non-exhaustive examples of a card reader locations that are in motionare if the reader is being used inside a bus, a train, a plane, a cart,or a ship.

Card readers 101 are also be classified by “portability”, that is howthey move, are repositioned, held, and are used within their place ofuse. The term “fixed” means the reader is fixed after installation andauthentication and does not move within its location. An example wouldbe if it is bolted to a mount, fixed in a holder, or secured to acounter. “mobile” means the reader location can change afterinstallation and authentication. An example of this is a card readerthat is being used in mobile arrangement such being placed on desk or ina cradle which relocates frequently. “Handheld” means the reader isexpected to be handheld during card reading, either held by merchant orby the card owner.

A key aspect of the embodiments of the invention is for the card reader101 to decide whether it is being use as intended. If it is detectedthat the card reader is not being used as intended this may beconsidered a security breach and measures can be taken to disable thecard reader, limit its use, or require reverification. A number ofintended usage scenarios are defined and sets of decision rules areapplied to determine if the card reader is being used in the intendedenvironment and in a way that is consistent with the expected behaviorof the users. Rules are evaluated using input read from a number ofsensors that may be located in the card reader, another device tetheredor connected to the card reader, in the location, or in the card itself.In some cases, a single rule may suffice. In others, there may bemultiple rules that may vary depending on the type of card, theinterface between the card and the card reader 101 and the amount of thetransaction, currency of the transaction, the bank or organization thatissued the card and a number of other parameters. There may be separaterules for a government issued card, a card issued by a financialinstitution, a loyalty card, and a card issued by a private business.

FIGS. 4A and 4B gives example of an implementation according to oneembodiment of the invention that utilizes a number of sensors; a GPS,beacon, altimeter, orientation/inclination sensor, compassaccelerometer, and a gyroscope. Scenarios are defined based on whetherthe card reader is installed in a location in motion or static and ifthe reader itself is fixed in place, mobile, or handheld. FIGS. 4A and4B list the expected data the card reader 101 would read from sensors105 in the card reader, attached device 111, or other sensors. For eachscenario rules are defined based on the location, orientation, and otherparameters as sensed by the card reader 101. Location refers to thelocation of the card reader and can be measured by a GPS, beacons,altimeters, and other sensors. Orientation refers to the directionalheading (north, south, east, west) and inclination, whether the readeris level. Orientation can be measured using sensors such as a compass,orientation/incline sensor, and others. Motion refers to thedisplacement, velocity and acceleration of the card reader over time.Motion can be measured using sensors such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, and others. Note that for other scenarios and for othersensors, the rules may be modified or additional rules may be added ordeleted.

A variance in any of the expected readings triggers an event that mayforce the card reader to re-authenticate, to shutdown, or to send analert to a user, administrator, or other party monitoring the system.Variances may be indicated on the card reader, an attached device, orthrough a monitoring device or party over the network.

One scenario 401 is when the card reader is fixed in a static location.In this case the GPS and altimeter would be expected to correspond tothe known location and the signal from a beacon installed in the samelocation would be received. The orientation and incline would be veryclose to the readings in which the card reader was installed. Theaccelerometer and gyroscope would indicate no movement.

Another scenario 402 is when the card reader is fixed in a location thatis in motion. An example of this may be a card reader fixed at acheck-out counter in a store on a train. The GPS and altimeter readingshould be within the expected range and a beacon placed within thelocation will be readable. The orientation sensor/incline sensor willreturn a range of values that are consistent and cross-referenced withthe present location of the installation as measured by the locationreadings and the motion readings. The compass readings will beconsistent with the gyroscope readings. As the installation is expectedto move, motion readings outside an expected range will be deemed to beunusual and may trigger a re-authorization procedure. Accelerometerreadings should agree with the GPS data and orientation data. Thegyroscope should return data consistent with the compass readings.

A further scenario 403 is where the card reader is mobile and theinstallation is static. This may occur when there is a mobile cartwithin a large building. The cart moves within the location but is notexpected to exit the building. The location sensors, the GPS andaltimeter will be within the range consistent with the bounds of thelocation. The location information will remain stable for a predefinedtime before a card is read since the cart will have to stop moving inorder to process a transaction. Beacon information will be readable.Similarly, the orientation information will be within bounds and bestable for a short time before the card is read. Accelerometer andgyroscope information will be static within tight bounds. If no movementoccurs for a predefined period of time (the cart has not moved in a longtime), re-authorization may be required.

The next scenario 404 is a mobile reader installed on a platform inmotion. This could be the case of a card reader fixed to a food anddrink cart used on an aircraft. The GPS and altimeter sensor data willbe consistent with an aircraft flight or more specifically, with theflight plan of a particular aircraft. GPS information will indicate thatthe cart and reader are still on the aircraft. Location will be used tosupplement the orientation information. The orientation/incline sensorwill be within a limited range qualified by the rate of change of themotion and location information. The compass data will agree with thegyroscope data. Motion data is used to supplement the orientationinformation for decision making. The accelerometer readings will agreewith the GPS data and orientation data. The gyroscope will agree withthe compass.

Next the scenario 405 of a handheld card reader in a static location isconsidered. This would correspond with a handheld payment card reader ina restaurant. The GPS and altimeter would be a match for the bounds ofthe location. A signal from a beacon would be received. A locationchange that exceeded the location bounds would trigger are-authorization as it could indicate that the card reader had left thebuilding. Due to the large number of movements experienced by a handhelddevice orientation information would not be used. Acceptable ranged ofacceleration and velocity would be permitted as expected for a handhelddevice where the holder would be expected to be walking.

The final scenario 406 depicted in FIG. 4B is the case of a handheldcard reader when the installed location is in motion. The location willbe verified against the route of the location, such as in a deliverytruck, where the route may also change based on season or weather. TheGPS and altimeter data will be consistent with the route and a signalfrom a beacon in the truck will be received. Often orientation andmotion information will not be used in this scenario.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative preferred embodiment of a card reader 101with fewer sensors 105, 111 compared to the previous embodiment of FIGS.4A and 4B. The embodiment of FIG. 5 cover the same scenarios as in FIGS.4A and 4B but the sensors 105, 111 are limited to a beacon,orientation/inclination sensor, and an accelerometer. Sensors andreadings are still divided into three groups; location, orientation, andmotion. A beacon is installed at the location and is used to verify thatthe card reader is within range of the location. If the card readermoves too far from the beacon it will lose contact with the card reader101. The orientation of the card reader is detected using only anorientation/incline sensor. An accelerometer is used to determinemotion.

Processing may be done by the card reader 101, other tethered device108, the backend host 107, or any combination of the above.

The above listed preferred implementation by no means to be exhaustive,and many possible ways of implementation using different combinations ofsensors are possible.

Although the algorithms described above including those with referenceto the foregoing flow charts have been described separately, it shouldbe understood that any two or more of the algorithms disclosed hereincan be combined in any combination. Any of the methods, algorithms,implementations, or procedures described herein can includemachine-readable instructions for execution by: (a) a processor, (b) acontroller, and/or (c) any other suitable processing device. Anyalgorithm, software, or method disclosed herein can be embodied insoftware stored on a non-transitory tangible medium such as, forexample, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, adigital versatile disk (DVD), or other memory devices, but persons ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the entirealgorithm and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by adevice other than a controller and/or embodied in firmware or dedicatedhardware in a well-known manner (e.g., it may be implemented by anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logicdevice (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic,etc.). Also, some or all of the machine-readable instructionsrepresented in any flowchart depicted herein can be implemented manuallyas opposed to automatically by a controller, processor, or similarcomputing device or machine. Further, although specific algorithms aredescribed with reference to flowcharts depicted herein, persons ofordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many othermethods of implementing the example machine readable instructions mayalternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocksmay be changed, and/or some of the blocks described may be changed,eliminated, or combined.

It should be noted that the algorithms illustrated and discussed hereinas having various modules which perform particular functions andinteract with one another. It should be understood that these modulesare merely segregated based on their function for the sake ofdescription and represent computer hardware and/or executable softwarecode which is stored on a computer-readable medium for execution onappropriate computing hardware. The various functions of the differentmodules and units can be combined or segregated as hardware and/orsoftware stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as above asmodules in any manner, and can be used separately or in combination.

While particular implementations and applications of the presentdisclosure have been illustrated and described, it is to be understoodthat the present disclosure is not limited to the precise constructionand compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications,changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptionswithout departing from the spirit and scope of an invention as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A card reader comprising: a card reader front-endcoupled to a processor; and the processor to receive a set of parametersrelated to a location, orientation and motion of the card reader from aset of sensors communicatively coupled to the processor, and utilize theset of parameters and first scenario configuration data to evaluate afirst rule, wherein the evaluation of the first rule results in alimitation on an operation of the card reader, said first scenarioconfiguration data is based on a classification of a first mobility ofthe card reader, and the classification of the first mobility of thecard reader comprises selection of a usage location of the card readereither being static or in motion.
 2. The card reader of claim 1, whereinan external device is coupled to the card reader.
 3. The card reader ofclaim 2, wherein the set of sensors is located within the externaldevice.
 4. The card reader of claim 2, wherein the evaluation of thefirst rule is performed on the external device.
 5. The card reader ofclaim 1, wherein the processor utilizes the set of parameters and secondscenario configuration data to evaluate a second rule.
 6. The cardreader of claim 1, further comprising a communications module coupled tothe processor.
 7. The card reader of claim 6, wherein the communicationsmodule receives the first scenario configuration data from externalsources.
 8. The card reader of claim 6, wherein the evaluation of thefirst rule is performed by a backend host coupled to the communicationsmodule.
 9. The card reader of claim 1, wherein the processor utilizesthe set of parameters and second scenario configuration data to evaluatea second rule; and said second scenario configuration data is based on aclassification of a second mobility of the card reader.
 10. The cardreader of claim 1, wherein the first rule is based on either an amountof a transaction or a currency of the transaction.
 11. A method forreading a card in a usage location, the method comprising: providing acard reader comprising a card reader front-end and a communicationsmodule, wherein the card reader front-end and the communications moduleare communicatively coupled to a processor; and configuring theprocessor to: receive a set of parameters related to a location,orientation and motion of the card reader from a set of sensors coupledto the processor, utilize the set of parameters and scenarioconfiguration data to evaluate one or more rules, wherein the evaluationof the one or more rules results in a limitation on an operation of thecard reader, and said scenario configuration data is based on aclassification of a mobility of the card reader, wherein theclassification of the mobility of the card reader comprises selection ofa usage location of the card reader either being static or in motion.12. The method of claim 11, further wherein said scenario configurationdata is based on a classification of a portability of the card reader.13. The method of claim 12, further wherein the classification of theportability of the card reader comprises selecting one of fixed, mobileor handheld.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the oneor more rules is based on at least one of a range of accelerations and arange of velocities.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one ofthe one or more rules is based on matching a plan or a route.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the set of parameters comprise at least oneof Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and altimeter readings.
 17. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the set of parameters comprise at least oneof accelerometer and gyroscope readings.
 18. The method of claim 11,wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based on at least oneof a displacement and an orientation of the card reader.
 19. The methodof claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more rules is based oneither an amount of a transaction or a currency of the transaction. 20.The method of claim 11, wherein the card is issued by a bank or anorganization, and at least one of the one or more rules is based on thebank or the organization.